Chicago Uber Driver Charged With Sexually Assaulting A Drunk Passenger

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jul 15, 2016 3:19PM

Alexander Marrero / Cook County Sheriff

An Uber driver sexually assaulted a 23-year-old female passenger during a ride last month, prosecutors alleged on Thursday.

Alexander Marrero, 30, of East Garfield Park, picked up the victim on Division Street around 1 a.m. The woman’s cousin assisted her into Marrero’s vehicle after the victim spent a night out with family and friends. The group summoned an Uber after she became intoxicated.

The woman does not recall getting into the car, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Elena Gottreic, but remembers waking in the car with her shorts and underwear at her ankles while Marrero assaulted her.

The victim’s roommate waited for her arrival after the woman’s friends notified her she was on the way. They also sent her a photo of Marrero’s car. The roommate spotted the car further down the block. When she approached, she heard crying and saw the driver facing the center of the car. Marrero soon sped away, then returned several minutes later. The roommate was then able to collect the victim. The woman complained of pain and vaginal bleeding. She was taken to a local hospital the following day.

Marrero is charged with criminal sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping. He was ordered held in lieu of $150,000 bail at the bond hearing on Thursday. Marrero was banned by Uber following the arrest.

A highly contested rideshare ordinance passed the City Council late last month. Ald. Anthony Beale argued for a requirement that drivers be fingerprinted—the most contentious aspect of one proposal. The requirement did not make it into the final bill. A task force was assigned to study the issue for six months.

Update, 10:35 a.m.:
Uber spokeswoman Brooke Anderson told Chicagoist that Marreo had not received previous complaints. But Marrero was “immediately and permanently removed from the platform” after the person who requested the ride notified Uber. "What’s been described is deplorable and something no one should ever go through,” Anderson said in a statement to Chicagoist. “We’re working with local authorities to support their investigation and proceedings in any way possible.” She said Uber’s GPS tracking information for the ride would be turned over to investigators when requested.